How can the acupuncturist bring about the balance in the body by inserting needles into it?
Traditional Chinese medicine states that the vital force, or life force, in the body controls the working of the main organs and systems of the body. This vital force, or Qi energy as it is called, circulates from one organ to another along channels or pathways termed meridians, always following a set route. This energy must flow freely in the correct strength and quality if each organ is to function correctly. In an illness the flow of vital energy is impaired. Whatever the system of medicine is used to heal a patient, its success depends on the restoration of this vital force, Qi (pronounced Ch’i). Acupuncture directly controls this energy at special points located on the meridians (the energy pathways). When gently inserted into these acupuncture points the needles produced various effects. According to the manipulation of the needles, the energy is either drawn to an organ, or dispersed from it, or drained, and so on.
